Our Constitution

The Constitution was written in the summer of 1787 in Philadelphia, PA, by delegates from 12 states. It created a national government composed of 3 separate powers – the executive, legislative and judicial branches – each to serve as a check on each other’s powers. The founders feared their new government could become all powerful as the English king had become.

The president of the Constitutional Convention that framed the new government, was Gen. George Washington, though James Madison is known as the “Father of the Constitution” because of his great contributions to the new government.

Gouverneur Morris of New York wrote the preamble and final language.

In September 1787, it was sent to the states. 9 of the 13 states had to ratify the Constitution for it to become effective.

Many states called for amendments to protect individual rights. James Madison, the principal author of the Constitution, knew grave doubts would be cast on it if the states of its chief architects including himself did not adopt it.

During debate in Virginia, Madison promised a bill of rights would be added after ratification. His promise reassured the convention and the Constitution was approved by the narrowest margin. New York soon followed, but submitted amendments.

Rhode Island and North Carolina refused without a bill of rights. A year later, Madison proposed a series of amendments.

The Constitution includes checks and balances, individual rights, liberty, limited government, natural rights theory, republican government and popular sovereignty.

There had never been a document like our Constitution and it has become a model for emerging democratic nations.

The Constitution of the

United States of America

Preamble

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Article I

Section 1. All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.

Section 2. The House of Representatives shall be composed of members chosen every second year by the people of the several states and the electors in each state shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the state legislature. No person shall be a Representative who shall not have attained to the age of 25 years, and been seven years a citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of that state in which he shall be chosen.

Representatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned among the several states which may be included within this union, according to their respective numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole number of free persons, including those bound to service for a term of years, and excluding Indians not taxed, 3/5ths of all other Persons. The actual Enumeration shall be made within three years after the first meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent term of ten years, in such manner as they shall by law direct. The number of Representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty thousand, but each state shall have at least 1 Representative and until such enumeration shall be made, the state of New Hampshire shall be entitled to chose 3, Massachusetts 8, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations 1, Connecticut 5, New York 6, New Jersey 4, Pennsylvania 8, Delaware 1, Maryland 6, Virginia 10, North Carolina 5, South Carolina 5, and Georgia 3.

When vacancies happen in the Representation from any state, the executive authority shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies. The House of Representatives shall choose their speaker and other officers and shall have the sole power of impeachment.

Section 3. The Senate of the United States shall be composed of 2 Senators from each state, chosen by the legislature thereof, for 6 years; and each Senator shall have 1 vote. Immediately after they shall be assembled in consequence of the 1st election, they shall be divided as equally as may be into 3 classes. The seats of the Senators of the 1st class shall be vacated at the expiration of the 2nd year, of the 2nd class at the expiration of the 4th year, and the 3rd class at the expiration of the 6th year, so that 1 third may be chosen every 2nd year; and if vacancies happen by resignation, or otherwise, during the recess of the legislature of any state, the executive thereof may make temporary appointments until the next meeting of the legislature, which shall then fill such vacancies. No person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained to the age of 30 years, and been 9 years a citizen of the United States and who shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of that state for which he shall be chosen. The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but have no vote, unless they be equally divided.

The Senate shall choose their other officers, and also a President pro tempore, in the absence of the Vice President, or when he shall exercise the office of President of the United States.

The Senate shall have the sole power to try all impeachments. When sitting for that purpose, they shall be on oath or affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: And no person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two thirds of the members present.

Judgment in cases of impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust or profit under the United States: but the party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to indictment, trial, judgment and punishment, according to law.

Section 4. The times, places and manner of holding elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each state by the legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by law make or alter such regulations, except as to the places of choosing Senators.

The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and such meeting shall be on the first Monday in December ...

For more of the Constitution, visit https://billofrightsinstitute.org/founding-documents/constitution/ .